Representatives of Ministry of Finance and European Investment Bank met in Kyiv

Deputy Minister of Finance Olga Zykova and Government Commissioner for Public Debt Management Yuriy Butsa held a meeting with representatives of the European Investment Bank (EIB) – Director of the EIB's Public Sector Lending Department for the Eastern Partnership Matteo Rivellini and Head of the EIB Representative to Ukraine Kristina Mikulova. 

The parties discussed the status of current EIB projects in Ukraine, future initiatives, and next steps to ensure the effective use of EIB loan resources and guarantees provided by the European Commission under the Pillar II Ukraine Facility in 2025, in particular for priority areas of recovery.

Olga Zykova thanked the Bank’s representatives for signing three loan agreements worth EUR 300 million in April. These new projects include the restoration of water supply and sewage systems in regions affected by hostilities, modernization of social infrastructure in communities with large numbers of internally displaced persons, and the implementation of energy-efficient solutions.

The parties also discussed plans to sign agreements for launching new investment projects during the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place this summer in Rome, Italy. These projects will focus on restoring Ukraine’s energy and social infrastructure, as well as developing the country’s transport sector.

The Ministry of Finance is also actively working with the EIB and other international partners to coordinate approaches to credit risk management and financing mechanisms in cooperation with state-owned enterprises to ensure effective and balanced collaboration.

Olga Zykova emphasized that the European Investment Bank remains a key financial partner in Ukraine’s development and recovery, particularly in the context of full-scale russian aggression. She also expressed Ukraine’s readiness to sign new loan agreements.

“I am grateful to the EIB for its strong support during this difficult period for our country. Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, the Bank has mobilized over EUR 2 billion in emergency financing. These contributions have not only helped stabilize our economy but have also laid the foundation for Ukraine’s recovery. Today, our cooperation with the EIB spans a wide range of sectors aligned with the Government’s key priorities in improving the lives of Ukrainian citizens. These include support for critical infrastructure, housing, energy, transport, education, major social initiatives, and digitalization,” said Deputy Minister Olga Zykova.

She added that the EIB’s loan portfolio in Ukraine is currently one of the largest among international financial institutions, comprising 23 active projects worth a total of EUR 4.4 billion, with another six projects in the preparation stage.

The parties agreed that over the past year, Ukraine and the EIB have achieved significant progress in implementing initiatives such as the Ukraine Recovery Program, Urban Public Transport of Ukraine, and Higher Education in Ukraine.

Special attention was also given to the implementation of initiatives envisaged in the EU's Ukraine Facility financial instrument, including the prospects of attracting new resources.

In turn, EIB representatives reassured their Ukrainian partners of the Bank’s commitment to expanding its presence in Ukraine. Priority sectors for EIB financing include transport and energy development, as well as infrastructure construction to protect high-voltage substations from russian shelling.